GKN Aerospace, COMAC and AVIC parter on advanced aerostructures

GKN Aerospace (Redditch, UK), COMAC subsidiary SAMC (Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Company, Shanghai, China) and AVIC International (Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Beijing, China) on Nov. 7 signed a Framework Agreement to establish a joint venture for aerostructures manufacturing in China. 

The joint venture is scheduled to begin production Q4 2021 in a new state-of-the-art facility. Locations are currently being evaluated. The joint venture will manufacture products for the civil aerospace market and will offer customers technologically advanced aerostructures, both metallic and composite, that have a proven record in the global market.  After the start-up period the scope of the joint venture will be extended to include design and development capability.

The expansion to Asia is part of GKN Aerospace’s long-term growth strategy and global operating model. This summer GKN Aerospace announced a new wiring systems plant in Pune, India and in October GKN Aerospace officially opened a new aero-engine repair and research plant in Johor, Malaysia. GKN Aerospace now operates seven facilities in Asia, delivering wiring systems, transparencies and services in China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Turkey.